262 THE KING'S CORMORANTS. 



chose bien mcruielleuse a voir. Sur toute chose estoit les 

 sages discours de sa Ma 1 ' tres admirable." 



The King had a regular establishment for his cormorants 

 on the river at Westminster, and created a new office, 

 " Master of the Royal Cormorants," which office was first 

 held by John Wood, as appears from various documents 

 in the Record Office. Amongst other entries, for a know- 

 ledge of which I am indebted to Mr. F. H. Salvin, the 

 distinguished falconer, are the following : — 



" No. t, James I., 1611, April 11. — To John Wood, the 

 sum of .£30, in respect he hath been at extraordinary 

 charge in bringing up and training of certain fowls called 

 cormorants, and making of them fit for the use of fishing, 

 to be taken to him of His Majesty's free gift and reward. 

 By writ, dated the 5 th day of April, 161 1. 



"No. 2, May 27th, 1612. — Payment to the said John 

 Wood for getting cormorants from the north. 



"No. 3, August 31st, 1618. — James I. to Robert Wood. 

 Advance of £66 13s. 4</., in part payment of the sum of 

 £286 due in respect of the cormorant houses, and making 

 nine ponds, &c, at Westminster, the ground called the 

 Vine-garden having been taken upon lease of the Lord 

 Danvers. 



[" In this document," says Mr. Salvin, " this Wood is 

 described as keeper of His Majesty's cormorants, ospreys, 

 and otters. It is therefore clear that the fishing-hawk was 



